CNN International and MultiChoice on Monday launched the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2008 Awards. The event returns to Ghana, where it was founded in 1995. The winners of these prestigious annual awards would be announced at a gala ceremony to be held in Accra in July 2008.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, said: “We are delighted that for the 2008 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, we are returning to the awards birthplace of Ghana. As the awards continue to grow in stature, strength and prestige, it is fitting that Ghana be chosen as the host country. It is wonderful that entries from across the continent continue to grow, making this a truly pan-African event.”

Eben Greyling, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said: “Our continued partnership with CNN to support these journalism awards actively demonstrates our support for media that carries Africa’s voice on local and global issues. The awards have grown over the years in importance and meet a key need to encourage, showcase and celebrate the best that the continent has to offer in journalism. We look forward yet again to the challenge of finding and rewarding new stories and voices from the continent.”

Richard M. Kavuma from Uganda was awarded the top prize at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2007 Awards ceremony. Richard, who works for The Weekly Observer in Uganda won for his series of articles on the topic, “To assess the country’s performance on Millennium Development Goals”, chosen from among 1670 entries from 40 nations across the African continent.

For the past twelve years, the competition has grown in size and status to become Africa’s most prestigious media event.

The competition is open to African professional journalists including freelancers across print, television, internet, photography and radio. Full details on how to enter can be found by logging on to www.cnn.com/africanawards. The closing date for entries is 15th February, 2008 and the judging will take place in May.